Apple's iTunes first announced the idea for a subscription model earlier this week (see our coverage), and the “Multi-Pass” option allows downloads of 16 new episodes (a full month) of Comedy Central's “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” for US$9.99. It looks like CBS Sports and iTunes plan to offer a similar package for the 2006 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship.

The new package is called “Season Pass,” and for $19.99 users will be able to download condensed versions of all 63 games of the tournament, with games available the day after they are played. Best of all, iTunes will automatically place new games in a user's download queue as they become available. Individual games will be available for download at $1.99 each.

iTunes is adopting a smart pricing model here. The model has worked well in regards to similar sporting events on cable and satellite, so there is no reason why it wouldn't be as successful on iTunes.

I really like how Apple automatically places new games in the customer's queue as well. That really makes it easy for sports fans to connect up their iPod every day and know they will be getting the latest NCAA games.

Damn..(7:47am EST Wed Mar 15 2006)..that's actually a good idea. It almost rids me of my hatred of Apple… and iTunes… almost but not quite. But yeah… it is a great idea. They're gonna make a mint! - by Johny-D

I'm not buying it!(9:16am EST Wed Mar 15 2006)

The lemmings out there should see this as Jobs giving into the media execs and offering subscription AND variable pricing.

Use that God given brain of yours and realise that you are being screwed over!

Re: Maclover(1:51pm EST Fri Mar 17 2006)I will not lower my standards to bring on the noise boyz – basss how low can you go – Death Row – what a brotha know once again here comes the incredible, rhyme edible THE Public Enenmy Number One. - by Topher